Tree Cutting and cleaning of drains should be part of GLAS scheme

With regard to the flooding and weather problems that we have had almost every winter in recent years I am proposing today that cutting down trees close to main roads should be part of the Glas scheme for farmers. Over the past few weeks and months many trees have fallen and have posed a serious danger to the public and it would give farmers and landowners an incentive to reduce the amount of dangerous trees close to roads. I am also proposing that keeping drains cleared should also be included in the Glas scheme and this would assist in the reduction of flooding throughout the region as well. We have to be imaginative with regard to the weather problems that we have and these are a couple of suggestions that would help and I will be writing to the Minister for Agriculture this week to ask him to consider implementing these proposals without delay.